Internships

Experiences

SUPER DTP PGRs share their experiences of undertaking an internship:

• Izzy Langley: 3-month internship with SMRU Consulting, 2023
• Jack Sheehy: 3-month internship with the JNCC, 2021
• Lydia McGill: 3-month internship with NatureScot, 2020 

Current Opportunities

You are encouraged to source your own internship opportunities by defining what you are looking for and making approaches to relevant organisations if the below do not suit. The list of SUPER DTP associate partners is a useful reference for possible organisations to contact.

UKRI Research Exchange and Internship Opportunities

The UKRI provides year-round opportunities for SUPER DTP PGRs, as doctoral students funded by the Natural Environmental Research Council, to undertake a placement or internship. Find out more on the UKRI website.

UKRI Policy Internships Scheme

The scheme provides an opportunity to undertake a placement at one of a selected group of influential policy organisations. During their internship, the student undertakes training and experience on a policy topic agreed with their host partner. The intention of the scheme is to embed students in an environment where they can engage with the process of converting research outputs into policy. These internships equip students with transferable skills and training relevant to the future career paths that the student may choose. The internships are for 3 months and are available with 25 host partners:

• Committee on Climate Change
• Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero
• Department for Education (DfE)
• Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)
• Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC)
• Department for Work & Pensions (DWP)
• Government Office for Science (GO-Science)
• Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Service (HMICFRS)
• Home Office
• Institute for Fiscal Studies
• Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
• Ministry of Justice
• National Library of Scotland
• Natural England
• Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service (RaISe)
• Office of the Sentencing Council (OSC)
• Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID)
• Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)
• Select Committees, House of Commons
• Senedd Research/Ymchwil y Senedd
• The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST, UK Parliament)
• The Royal Society
• The Royal Society of Biology (RSB)
• UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
• WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme)

Find out more on the UKRI website. The deadline for applications is 4.00 pm on Monday 2 October 2023.

“My three-month policy internship was one of the most productive and enjoyable parts of my PhD – the exposure to the wide variety of options outside of academia was eye-opening and led to my current job”. 

People’s Trust for Endangered Species Student Internship

The PTES Wildlife Conservation Internship Programme began in 2001. Since then over 90 young people have benefitted, working on practical projects helping hedgehogs, water voles, pine martens, bats, adders, bottlenose dolphins, numerous butterflies and a host of other species. Internships range from full time for 6 months, up to 18 months part-time. A grant of up to £5,000 is available to support living costs whilst the work is undertaken. Find out more on the PTES website. Apply any time, recruitment is ongoing.

The United Nations (UN) Internship Programme

The UN offers internships across multiple departments in locations worldwide. Internships last for at least two and can be as long as six months and are unpaid, but some support is available through your TSG. Find out more on the UN website and apply for open positions here. Apply for the UN Environment Programme specifically here. 

Marine Conservation Institute (MCI) Development & Communications Internship

MCI interns have the opportunity to gain important skills in environmental conservation communications and development. Interns will help coordinate institute-wide communications including, but not limited to, social media, blogs, web design, press releases, action alerts, daily news clips, monthly newsletters, videos and infographics. Interns also have the opportunity to contribute pieces to the institute’s blog, On The Tide. Located in Glen Ellen, California for a period of 3-4 months with flexible dates, you will work on a voluntary basis either part or full time. Some support is available through your TSG. Find out more on the MCI website. Recruitment is ongoing, apply anytime.

The Technology Partnership (TTP) Industry Internships

TTP is an independent technology company where scientists, engineers, and designers collaborate to invent and develop new products and technologies. Your internship will see you putting your technical and research skills to work within a commercially focused environment; providing the opportunity to experience how your academic knowledge and skillsets could be utilised within an industry setting. Flexible length of programme, usually between 3 to 6 months. Internships are paid. Find out more on the TTP website. Recruitment is ongoing, apply anytime. 

Oxford University Innovation (OUI) Licensing & Ventures Internship

During your time with OUI, you will work on at least two real world technology transfer and commercialisation projects from Oxford University to industry. Working with the rest of the L&V team and university researchers you will:

• Understand technologies;
• Research the potential markets and industries for those technologies;
• Evaluate the commercial opportunities and the competitive landscape.

These hybrid internships are 3 to 6-months long and are unpaid, but some support is available through your TSG. Find out more via this document. Recruitment is ongoing, apply anytime.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Policy Internships

Successful interns will provide support to OECD Policy Analysts in one of many areas, including climate, energy, and science and technology. Typical tasks include:

• participating in the preparation of studies and documents, carrying out research and reviews of existing materials;
• collecting, organising, and analysing data;
• contributing to the production of documents, working papers and publications resulting from the above activities, including drafting notes and preparing technical annexes, and;
• liaising and building networks with officials in national administrations, researchers, other international organisations and member country Delegations.

The majority of internships are based in Paris, France and are 1 to 6 months in duration on a full-time basis. Interns receive a contribution to living expenses of ~700€/mnth. Find our more on the OECD website. Recruitment is ongoing, apply anytime.

STEM Ambassador Programme

The STEM Ambassador programme through STEM Learning is flexible, allowing you to volunteer in a way that suits you, it could be online or in person, in schools or in community groups, by supporting lessons or extra-curricular activities and working with young people or their educators. STEM Ambassadors make an impact by:

• Supporting learning – help young people to understand the real world applications of their learning.
• Illuminating careers – showcase different careers, providing information on roles and pathways into industry while raising awareness of the skills that are important in the workplace.
• Raising aspirations – give young people the opportunity to meet a wide range of inspiring role models, encouraging them as they think about their future.

 Find out more on the STEM Learning website. Recruitment is ongoing, apply anytime.